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Monday, August 5, 2013

New in Young Adult Fiction

It started out as a
harmless prank. But soon enough, spiritualism was the fastest growing
movement of the nineteenth century, and Maggie Fox was trapped in a life
of deceit.

Meticulously researched by the author, We Hear the
Dead reveals the secret of how the Fox sisters faked their rapping
sounds and their motives for inventing the séance and founding
spiritualism.

Maggie:I began the deception
when I was too young to know right from wrong. No one suspected us of
any trick, because we were such young children. We were led on by my
sister purposely and by my mother unintentionally. Only with the passing
of time did I come to understand the consequences of my actions. As
Doctor wrote to me: "Weary, weary is the life by cold deceit oppressed."

Kate:My
sister has used the word "deception." I object to her use of that word,
for I do not believe that I have ever intentionally deceived anyone.
Maggie has a different understanding of all the events that have
happened since that night in Hydesville forty years ago. To her the
spirits were always a game. For my sister Leah, they were a means to an
end. For my mother, a miracle. And for me, they were my life's calling. I
have no regrets.

Crescent Star by Nicholas Maes

Avi Greenbaum is Jewish
and lives in West Jerusalem. Moussa Shakir is Palestinian and lives in
East Jerusalem. Both are 15 years old, live without their fathers, adore
their older brothers, and belong to the same soccer club. Avi
commemorates the Holocaust and celebrates Israeli independence, while
Moussa mourns on Nakba Day, marking the expulsion of Palestinians from
their homes and land in 1948. Their lives are parallel lines: they have
everything in common and nothing at all. Each is oblivious to the others
existence.

As Avi and Moussa go about their daily routines in
the spring of 2006, they face reminders of the conflict that has dogged
the region for the past three generations the security wall, suicide
bombings, police operations, and the looming shadow of war. While
navigating this legacy of suspicion and violence, they must decide what
their own roles in the stalemate will be.

The Dance Dilemma by Cylin Busby

The junior homecoming
dance is right around the corner. And there you are--without a date.
Your best friend invites you to join the decorating committee; she
swears the quiet guy in your English class is going to be there. Another
friend is eager to hit the mall in search of the perfect dress. If the
football players just happen to be hanging out in the food court, all
the better! To decorate, or not to decorate? Vintage dress? Or
just-arrived-in-stores chic? And at every page turn, there is the
question of your date. Will you land the guy you want? Or will you go to
the dance alone, if you go at all?

If you've ever wondered "What if…" when it comes to boys and dating, DATE HIM OR DUMP HIMis
a fun, interactive series that lets you navigate the ups and downs of
the dating scene. Maybe you'll get the guy, maybe you won't--or maybe
you'll decide you don't want him after all. And remember: with more than
twenty possible endings, if he's not the boy of your dreams, you can
always go back and choose another one!